Counseling and Psychology in Education-Educational Psychology (M.A., Ed.S., Ph.D.)

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Degree Requirements for Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychology in Education - Educational Psychology Specialization

The Master’s degree offers two options: Plan A, which requires a thesis, and Plan B, a non–thesis alternative that requires a significant research project. Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average throughout the program. For all students, a final written comprehensive examination is required before thesis or project hours may be taken. Additionally, students must take a final oral examination on the thesis or research project.

Plan A (thesis): Total 33 credit hours

Educational Psychology Core 15 credit hours
Educational Psychology electives 6 credit hours
Thesis 6 credit hours
Supporting courses outside of area 6 credit hours

Plan B (non–thesis): Total 33 credit hours

Educational Psychology Core 15 credit hours
Educational Psychology electives 9 credit hours
Graduate Project 3 credit hours
Supporting courses outside of area 6 credit hours

Educational Psychology core course work (M.A.): 15 credit hours

Preliminary Examination

Upon successful completion of the first 9 credit hours of coursework, students will complete a preliminary examination and interview with program faculty to discuss progress and objectives.

Degree Requirements for Specialist in Counseling and Psychology in Education - Educational Psychology Specialization

The Specialist degree requires a minimum of 69 credit hours beyond the Baccalaureate with a minimum of 33 hours beyond the Master’s degree in a related field. The requirements can be tailored to the student’s needs and career goals with the approval of their graduate committee.

Specialist in Education, Educational Psychology: Total 69 credit hours

Master’s Degree 33 credit hours
Educational Psychology Specialist core 21 credit hours
Research Project 6 credit hours
Supporting courses 9 credit hours

Note

- Master’s degree must include USD’s 15 credit-hour core or its equivalent.

- Upon successful completion of 9 credit hours of course work, students will complete a preliminary examination and interview with program faculty to discuss progress and objectives.

- For all students, a final written comprehensive examination is required before research project hours may be taken. Additionally, students must take a final oral examination on the research project.

Educational Psychology core course work (Ed.S.): 21 credit hours

Note

- As a culminating activity, students complete a six credit-hour research project (

EDER 791

EPSY 898S

). This project will be designed to meet individual interests and needs and is guided by the student’s advisor.

- Upon successful completion of 9 credit hours of course work, students will complete a preliminary examination and interview with program faculty to discuss progress and objectives.

- A written comprehensive examination is required before project hours may be taken.

- A final defense of the research project is required in the final semester before graduation.

Degree Requirements for Doctorate in Counseling and Psychology in Education - Educational Psychology Specialization

Doctor of Philosophy, Educational Psychology: Total 94 credit hours

Education Psychology Doctoral core 64 credit hours
Supporting courses 15 credit hours
Dissertation 15 credit hours minimum

Note

- Upon successful completion of the first 9 credit hours of course work, students will complete a preliminary examination and interview with program faculty to discuss progress and objectives.

- The Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of 94 credit hours beyond the Baccalaureate degree.

- Students will earn a master’s degree during completion of the Ph.D. requirements.

- Students must take qualifying exams after all coursework for an MA degree has been taken.

- Upon successful completion of required coursework, and prior to taking dissertation hours, students must pass comprehensive exams.

- Two consecutive years are required in-residence, which means that during this time students must maintain full-time student status, predominantly on campus.

- Candidates are required to complete a specified core of courses covering human development, learning theory, computer methodology and application, measurement, statistics and research design.

Educational Psychology core course work required prior to earning M.A.: 33 credit hours:

THESIS IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY 6
ELECTIVE AND SUPPORTING COURSEWORK HOURS 12

Educational Psychology remaining core course work (Ph.D.): 31 credit hours

Select one from the following

EDER 792 - TOPICS IN EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH 1 to 6
3 credit hours
EDER 862 - MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS AND STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING 3

Dissertation: 15 credit hours minimum

EPSY 898D - DISSERTATION (Ph.D.) 1 to 15
15 credit hours required.

Supporting Coursework and Electives: 15 credit hours

Students may choose from a variety of supporting courses within and outside of the department.

Note

- With the aid of their advisor and approval of their graduate committee, students can tailor their program to fit their areas of expertise and career goals. This is done through elective course work, independent studies and practicum experiences.

- Final written comprehensive examinations are required before dissertation hours may be taken.